The curtain rises and a stream of cowboys and Indians parade across the stage singing “There’s No Business Like Show Business.” I quickly check my mental list of previous reviews and CliffsNotes. No, that song does not come until after “You Can’t Get a Man With a Gun” about a third of the way into the first act. It is quite evident that this show is not going to be a rerun of your grandfather’s original 1946 version of Irving Berlin’s musical “Annie Get Your Gun.”
While the 1999 Peter Stone revision of “Annie GYG” retains most of the songs, there is considerable editing. Annie’s adoption scene is reduced to Chief Sitting Bull (Steven Harris) placing an amulet around her neck. It squeezes the complex staging into a single scene motif. It makes an ungainly attempt to inject all sorts of political correctness. The altered critical scene where Annie upstages Frank Butler (David Coalter) is a complete disappointment.
Fortunately, when Whitney Abell appears as the raggedy Annie Oakley most of the above seems to dwindle in importance. Abell’s Appalachian drawl is just about perfect and her voice is unmatched from lamenting about not getting a-man-with-a-gun to her demanding retorts in “Anything You Can Do.” Her moves and mannerisms hit the bulls eye as often as does her rifle shots.
Coalter gives us a somewhat stilted Butler, but he gets the job done. Supporting roles of Buffalo Bill (Andrew Johnson) and Pawnee Bill (Paul Haverly) are crisp and their patter makes the plot move along.
All the principals wear microphones but modulation is a concern. Costuming is appropriate. Sitting Bull needs a darker complexion to look authentic. Choreography is severely restricted by the single set construction and needs tightening up overall.
Artistic Director Darlin Barry makes a brave decision in choosing this updated version of “Annie Get Your Gun.” Musicals at the Sondheim Theater at the IceHouse usually sell out early so get moving on planned reservations. Check out Thursday 7:30 pm performances for the best prices and seat selection. The show runs through Dec. 14. For other information visit their Web Site at www.icehousetheatre.com.
Villager Jack Petro reviews local theater for Villages-News.com